Chief Legal Officer

This will be a key role on our executive leadership team overseeing the legal operations of the company. As a key executive, the Chief Legal Officer serves as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership. This executive will lead the legal function across all business units, ensuring compliance, managing risk, supporting strategic initiatives and regulatory matters. The role demands a seasoned legal professional with gravitas, credibility, and the ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the CEO, Board, and executive team on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Oversee all legal matters including contracts, employment law, litigation, intellectual property, and M&A activity.
• Lead internal and external legal teams, including outside counsel relationships.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws across all operational jurisdictions.
• As an employee-owned company, advise on ESOP-related legal matters and administrative guidance working with the CEO and ESOP trustee.
• Oversee and guide the commercial/contractual terms with suppliers and subcontractor agreements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements and strategic partnerships.
• Support HR on employment law, compensation, and benefits-related legal issues.
• Develop and implement legal policies and procedures to support business growth and mitigate risk.
• Manage all external relationships with outside legal firms.

The incumbent must:

• Demonstrate a positive and collaborative team atmosphere, embodying corporate values.
• Educate the team on the importance of meeting compliance requirements and sound legal practices.
• Exhibit strategic thinking and sound judgment under pressure.
• Operate with high integrity and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Effectively build trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to legal challenges.

Supervisory Responsibility:

TBD

Required Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing.
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience, including in-house counsel leadership.
• Proven track record advising CEOs and Boards in a corporate setting.
• Expertise in employment law, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial transactions.
• Strong leadership presence and ability to influence across departments and levels.
• Experience in energy, construction, or technical services industries preferred but not required.
• Prior experience working within an ESOP organization is a plus.
• Experience with worker compensation and insurance claims is a plus.
• Prior experience with patent law and intellectual property law is a plus.

Work Environment, Position Type and Expected Hours:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. It is a full-time 40+ hour position. Days and hours of work may vary but are typically Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with periodic travel required. This position will be located in our corporate office in Cranston, RI.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to utilize a variety of computerized devices for a prolonged period of time.
• Sedentary work
• Reading, typing and computer input
• Answering the phone
• Standing, walking, sitting
• Clarity of vision under 20 inches
• Adjustment of eye to bring object into sharp focus.
• Ability to identify and distinguish colors

Compensation & Benefits:

• Health care benefits through United HealthCare
• Delta Dental and Vision Service Plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Employer-matching 401(k) retirement plan
• Employer-paid Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance; access to short and long-term disability insurance
• Personal car mileage reimbursement for customer visits when required
• Tuition reimbursement

Who We Are

The RISE Group, Inc., is an employee-owned, professional engineering firm that provides a complete range of consulting, design, and energy services to customers throughout the United States and internationally. Our multi-disciplined engineering and technical staff specialize in failure analysis, engineering design, process optimization, and condition assessment. Our work demonstrates how creative collaboration can produce outstanding results for our clients and our communities.

Our Culture

At RISE, our customers come from all walks of life -- and so do our employees! We hire amazing people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. We can confidently state that we are successful as a direct result of our diversity.

From day one and throughout your career with us, you'll find a workplace culture with expansive personal & professional development opportunities, cutting edge technology, a place where relationships are valued, and work/life balance is always a priority.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our workplace and in our communities. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.

The RISE Group, Inc. is an E-Verify participant and will conduct background investigations and pre-employment screening of candidates for employment Pre-employment activities will be conducted on qualified applicants after acceptance of a job offer.

The RISE Group, Inc. is an employee-owned company and an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.